FoxxyBrown1111 said:
OK. In normal english words, can you describe the "holding ball" and "mark" (what´s allowed/what not for both offense and defense) rules, how it should be called.
So I could follow it better when the ref was wrong or not.
Am I right, that the tackled player must get rid of the ball instantly as soon he is touched by an opponent?
If he can´t handball (because one hand is hold by the tackler) to dispose the ball, he also can "throw" it or kick it?
Can he tuck the ball to his body when he has no chance to release the ball (for example when the defender holds both his arms while tackling), go down tackled, and a "throw up" by the ref will follow?
The golden rule is as follows:
If your team is playing and one of your players tackles the a player on the other team who has the ball - it's holding the ball.
If your team is playing and one of your players has the ball and is tackled - it's not holding the ball.
Now the actual rule(s):
FoxxyBrown1111 said:
Am I right, that the tackled player must get rid of the ball instantly as soon he is touched by an opponent?
Not instantly, the tackled player has a brief window of opportunity to get rid of it (legitimately) while being tackled, this window may last anywhere between 2-5 seconds depending on the stage of the game and how the umpire is feeling at the time.
FoxxyBrown1111 said:
If he can´t handball (because one hand is hold by the tackler) to dispose the ball, he also can "throw" it or kick it?
He cannot throw it, that's a throw and a free kick to the opposition.
Likewise he cannot throw it in the air and punch it with the fist of the hand he has just thrown it with, that's a free kick.
He can kick it though, and this is a skill that we have really started to see developed in the last year or two, players actually kicking the ball while being tackled, it's quite an amazing skill.
FoxxyBrown1111 said:
Can he tuck the ball to his body when he has no chance to release the ball (for example when the defender holds both his arms while tackling), go down tackled, and a "throw up" by the ref will follow?
This is where it gets trickly.
If the umpire deems a player had an opportunity to get rid of the ball, but then got tackled, if he doesn't get rid of it legitimately then he will get called for "holding the ball" - an example of this, player gets the ball, tries a juke move around a defender but the defender tackles him and he can't get rid of it.
However if the umpire deems that a player didn't have an opportunity to get rid of the ball before being tackled (eg player takes the ball and then gets completely blindsided by a tackler) then a "throw up" (or "ball up" being the correct term) is called.
It seems quite straight forward when you explain it like that, but it's all open to interpretation and there's so many things going on at once quite often it doesn't seem to be consistent.
FoxxyBrown1111 said:
1. The defense can "block" a non ball-holder, but not tackle him?
2. The ref will always make a "throw in" when the ball goes out of bounds, or are there exceptions?
3. How does the ref and/or opponent know if the player who got awarded a free kick "plays on", or decides to indeed free kick?
1. In most cases yes, a bit like checking in ice-hockey, there are limits as to how much you can do it, and you can only do it if the ball is within 5 metres I think.
There are slightly different rules for marking contests, where you aren't meant to block someone out of a marking contest, so defenders do it but make it look like they're going for the mark.
2. When one team kicks the ball out of bounds on the full (with no one having touched it) - the other team gets a free kick.
3. The ref will tell them, the ref (umpire) will talk to the players the whole game. When a free kick is awarded the team on the receiving end will have the opportunity to "play on" if it's to their advantage, that's their choice.
The "play on" thing is funny, sometimes the umpire will say "play on" if it looks like players are either waiting for a free kick to be paid or if it just looks like they need to be reminded the game is still going.
Quite a funny thing to try and explain, what other sport to players need to be reminded that the game is still going?
But when you grow up playing the game it seems natural.
FoxxyBrown1111 said:
I love the non-offside rule BTW): 18 teams and 9 of them (10 if you count Geelong to the area) play in Melbourne. That´s a little crowded, isn´t it? I think I will look for a "outside" team to cheer for. Even though I like that Hawthorn-Geelong rivalary (saw the 89 docu, read about "the curse"). May I take Fremantle Dockers? I like this white/blue dresses...
Who are the 5/6 millionare superstars to look for in a game?
I know lots of questions, but a new "Footy" fan is always welcome, and helped, right?
take freo ! heave ho ! i'll be cheering for them this weekend because i HATE the eagles and I was a member for a number of years (but am actually a bulldogs supporter)
if you are looking for a great game to watch I recommend tracking down:
Round 21, 2006: Geelong v Melbourne - August 26